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Buford the Little Bighorn
Buford's giant horns cause him all sorts of problems and even force him to leave his mountainside home, but eventually they make him a hero on the ski slopes.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 8, 1975
About the author
Bill Peet
55 books237 followersBill Peet was an American children's book illustrator and a story writer for Disney Studios. He joined Disney in 1937 and worked on The Jungle Book, Song of the South, Cinderella, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Goliath II, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Fantasia, The Three Caballeros, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and other stories.
After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.
After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 18, 2020
This story ended up surprising me. I didn’t know where it was going and that was a joy to read. Buford is a bighorn ram, the sheep that climb nimbly on the mountain crags. He is a small little guy, and his horns won’t stop growing, to the point that it makes it dangerous for him to climb on the mountains, so he must leave his friends and find a different life. He makes his way through the forest and into a pasture of cows where he hangs out for the summer. Come November, he has to run for his life as the hunters have found him.
The artwork is lovely and it’s pure Bill Peet. It’s a great story.
Spoilers:
Buford finds out that if he steps on his horns he can ski down the mountain side and he uses this to evade the hunters. It’s fun to watch that. The nephew yelped for joy when he saw that. Buford finds fame among the skiing people and he finds his home.
My nephew thought this was a great story. He has water skied before, but never snow skied. He thought Buford was funny looking, but when Buford took what made him weird and used it to make himself cool, the nephew ate that up. He gave this 4 stars.
I’m a Bill Peet fan and I have somewhere between 12 and 15 books of his to read. I want to read them all. It’s goal.
The artwork is lovely and it’s pure Bill Peet. It’s a great story.
Spoilers:
Buford finds out that if he steps on his horns he can ski down the mountain side and he uses this to evade the hunters. It’s fun to watch that. The nephew yelped for joy when he saw that. Buford finds fame among the skiing people and he finds his home.
My nephew thought this was a great story. He has water skied before, but never snow skied. He thought Buford was funny looking, but when Buford took what made him weird and used it to make himself cool, the nephew ate that up. He gave this 4 stars.
I’m a Bill Peet fan and I have somewhere between 12 and 15 books of his to read. I want to read them all. It’s goal.
November 8, 2018
Dear pretties,
Look everybody he actually exists...
For that alone it gets to go from a 3-star to a 4-star rating!
Cheers,
shizuku
Look everybody he actually exists...
For that alone it gets to go from a 3-star to a 4-star rating!
Cheers,
shizuku
January 10, 2018
I accidentally tripped over Bill Peet as an author and illustrator in my elementary school library. The first and only book I can truly remember of him was his autobiography, which was a challenging read for my age group but one that caught my imagination. It was one that would introduce me to an amazing man who not only helped to build-up the Disney empire but one that did a wonderful job in also providing characters who weren't perfect but at the same time endearing.
The book is clearly what I have come to know of the writing style of Bill Peet in which the reader can find a moral of what it means to be a friend and also to find one's place in the world. The writing was a bit dull, though, and in the end it seemed rather kind of repetitive to me, especially considering a few other books of his that I have read whether presently or in the past.
The illustrations are classic Peet all the way with their scraggly looks, their bleak and darkened woods and their charming warmth. At the same time uniquely different from any other illustrations, they present relatable characters whose faces aren't left for misinterpretation and a story that is told in its own right.
Cute and enjoyable this book would be good for an older reading audience who may enjoy the unique telling but for many older readers there may not be enough of a plot to catch the eye.
The book is clearly what I have come to know of the writing style of Bill Peet in which the reader can find a moral of what it means to be a friend and also to find one's place in the world. The writing was a bit dull, though, and in the end it seemed rather kind of repetitive to me, especially considering a few other books of his that I have read whether presently or in the past.
The illustrations are classic Peet all the way with their scraggly looks, their bleak and darkened woods and their charming warmth. At the same time uniquely different from any other illustrations, they present relatable characters whose faces aren't left for misinterpretation and a story that is told in its own right.
Cute and enjoyable this book would be good for an older reading audience who may enjoy the unique telling but for many older readers there may not be enough of a plot to catch the eye.
June 1, 2010
“Buford the Little Bighorn” is a great book from the creative mind of Bill Peet and it is about how a little bighorn named Buford tries to cope with his enormous horns while trying to survive the dangers of the forest by himself. “Buford the Little Bighorn” is a great story about accepting yourself that children will love for many years!
Bill Peet has done a fantastic job at both illustrating and writing this story. Bill Peet’s story about how Buford has to struggle with his enormous horns is heartwarming and dramatic at the same time as children will feel sympathetic for Buford’s ordeal. However, the story teaches children that even though some children have a disability, they must always accept who they are and sometimes, a child’s disability could be their advantage in life. Bill Peet’s illustrations are beautiful, especially during the scene where Buford runs through the forest to escape the hunters during wintertime and the readers can see the snow on the trees and Buford’s tracks in the snow on the ground with blue dots and lines on the ground.
Small children might get a bit bored with the middle of the story as the action seems to slow down with scenes of Buford just laying low from the hunters with the cattle and children who love action might want to skip the scenes of Buford staying with the cattle. Also, the length of the book might be a bit too long for smaller children to handle and parents may have to read a few pages for one day and read the rest of the book the next day.
“Buford the Little Bighorn” is a great book for children learning about the importance of being yourself no matter what fault you have. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since small children might get bored with the slow pace of the story and the length of this book.
Bill Peet has done a fantastic job at both illustrating and writing this story. Bill Peet’s story about how Buford has to struggle with his enormous horns is heartwarming and dramatic at the same time as children will feel sympathetic for Buford’s ordeal. However, the story teaches children that even though some children have a disability, they must always accept who they are and sometimes, a child’s disability could be their advantage in life. Bill Peet’s illustrations are beautiful, especially during the scene where Buford runs through the forest to escape the hunters during wintertime and the readers can see the snow on the trees and Buford’s tracks in the snow on the ground with blue dots and lines on the ground.
Small children might get a bit bored with the middle of the story as the action seems to slow down with scenes of Buford just laying low from the hunters with the cattle and children who love action might want to skip the scenes of Buford staying with the cattle. Also, the length of the book might be a bit too long for smaller children to handle and parents may have to read a few pages for one day and read the rest of the book the next day.
“Buford the Little Bighorn” is a great book for children learning about the importance of being yourself no matter what fault you have. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since small children might get bored with the slow pace of the story and the length of this book.
May 4, 2013
When hunters appeared in the story, my grandson pointed to what they were carrying and said, "What's that?"
"It's a rifle," I said.
"What's a rifle?" he asked.
"It's a kind of gun. These men are hunters, and they want to kill animals."
"Why?"
Bill Peet was one of the best storyteller/illustrators of the 20th century, and this is one of his better ones. The drawings, as usual, are wonderful. As in so many of his books, he both charms you and brings up issues that might blindside you if you aren't prepared. Such as hunting.
"It's a rifle," I said.
"What's a rifle?" he asked.
"It's a kind of gun. These men are hunters, and they want to kill animals."
"Why?"
Bill Peet was one of the best storyteller/illustrators of the 20th century, and this is one of his better ones. The drawings, as usual, are wonderful. As in so many of his books, he both charms you and brings up issues that might blindside you if you aren't prepared. Such as hunting.
August 3, 2018
Buford’s horns grow out of control. They are so long that they make him lose his balance while mountain climbing. They curve around so far on the front that he catches them on things when he walks. To not be a burden to his fellow sheep, he sets off on his own. He lives for awhile in a meadow with cattle until he is spotted by humans. Who would have thought his horns would help him get away?
Darling illustrations.
Darling illustrations.
January 29, 2010
Another one of my favorite Bill Peet books. This adorably noble little goat is an example to us all. He's selfless and brave. It's nice to have children's books where the hero is someone to be proud of.
March 12, 2011
This is a wonderful little story with a humane message.
Buford is a bighorn ram whose enormous horns cause all sorts of problems for him. Fearing that his horns will eventually trip him up and cause his untimely end, Buford says goodbye to his friends and leaves his craggy mountainside home.
Down in flatlands of the valley, Buford can trot for the first time without fear of falling. He hides out at a cattle ranch for a spell, with the understanding that humans are the sort of creatures who usually wish to do his kind harm.
All goes well until a low-flying airplane carrying two hunters buzzes the meadow. It's bighorn hunting season, and they've just spotted a sheep whose horns will make all the record books.
I'll leave it to readers to discover how Buford escapes and wins his own protection, as well.
Peet also wrote The Gnats of Knotty Pine, another cool story with an anti-hunting message.
Buford is a bighorn ram whose enormous horns cause all sorts of problems for him. Fearing that his horns will eventually trip him up and cause his untimely end, Buford says goodbye to his friends and leaves his craggy mountainside home.
Down in flatlands of the valley, Buford can trot for the first time without fear of falling. He hides out at a cattle ranch for a spell, with the understanding that humans are the sort of creatures who usually wish to do his kind harm.
All goes well until a low-flying airplane carrying two hunters buzzes the meadow. It's bighorn hunting season, and they've just spotted a sheep whose horns will make all the record books.
I'll leave it to readers to discover how Buford escapes and wins his own protection, as well.
Peet also wrote The Gnats of Knotty Pine, another cool story with an anti-hunting message.
August 13, 2018
A delightful character and a well told story!
Ages: 5 - 9
Note: Parents, this is more wordy than other picture books so will take longer to read.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 5 - 9
Note: Parents, this is more wordy than other picture books so will take longer to read.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
May 5, 2019
This book was mentioned in my children's literature textbook as an example of musical language. I didn't really see it that much other than the one short alliterative phrase that the authors mentioned. I think that it was supposed to teach a lesson about accepting your differences and learning to use your strengths. It was entertaining.
April 30, 2010
When my son was little, this was his absolute favorite for many days. At one point, I had the story memorized. Occasionally, I'd change the words slightly, only to be told that "read it right" was what I was supposed to do.
April 18, 2008
It is kind of funny because he uses his horns for skis. He won the ski competion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2008
My absolute favorite childhood "picture" books!! If you have kids, I highly recommend this author...I love Bill Peet!
October 22, 2008
My favorite picture books as a kid.
May 1, 2019
Really fun.
April 29, 2011
Bill Peet is awesome!
July 8, 2012
I remember he was feisty & stubborn--Peet could make a character come alive!
January 30, 2013
At the library I work at we had to do a bunch of digging to find this book after a patron was looking for a book about "a skiing mountain goat that used his own horns." It's a pretty cute story.
December 14, 2014
This is another really long one, but Kevin and I enjoyed it. Great story, fun ending.
Read
June 16, 2014Loved when he rode his horns...
September 15, 2014
Cute story but a bit predictable.
November 10, 2014
This one of Peets didn't do much for me.
July 7, 2017
"Weird people are special.". Buford is a small bighorn sheep who is born with abnormally large horns. What begins as a disadvantage turns into a life-saving ability and claim to fame.
June 26, 2015
Cute book. Now when we see bighorn sheep around the desert and at the Living Desert, we think of this book.
January 17, 2017
The hunters seem pretty close to the ski resort, but whatever.
Pic here.
Pic here.
October 1, 2019
This is a heart-warming story of a cute animal who is different but ends up finding the place where he fits in.
October 22, 2019
This one might be #Shygirl's 2nd favorite of Bill Peet's, and it's another from my childhood (though I didn't remember it nearly as well as the Caboose Who Got Loose). Another fun read.
March 31, 2020
Its been a while but, I'd read it again. Put it on your shopping list.
July 28, 2020
Another favourite by Peet. Adding it to our "to own" list.
August 26, 2020
1 of my 1st & most favorite books as a child. i checked it out REPEATEDLY from the library. fell in love with buford and everything bill peet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews